Hyaluronic Acid‐based Cell‐free Composite Scaffold Promotes Osteochondral Repair In Vitro by Upregulating Osteogenic‐ and Chondrogenic‐Specific Gene Expressions

Abstract

Osteochondral defects pose a significant challenge in clinical practice, leading to increased medical care, diminished quality of life for patients, and elevated economic burden. The restoration of osteochondral defects, particularly in cartilage, is limited by its finite repair capacity and complex architecture. Treatment based on regenerative therapies acclaims the favorable alternative to contemporary procedures. Studies reveal that engineered biomaterials hold the significant importance in stimulating tissue repair with minimal cost and risks. In this study, we developed a porous composite scaffold, where host cells infiltrate and creates the microenvironment for cellular adhesion and enhanced differentiation. Thus, we fabricated a composite scaffold composed of natural glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hyaluronic acid (HA), the protein component fibrin, bio‐ceramic nano hydroxy apatite (nHAP) and graphene oxide (GO). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation and physiochemical characterization revealed an interconnected pore structure, optimum swelling potential, high porosity (80.14%), controlled biodegradation, high mechanical properties and mineralization. Evaluation of scaffold’s biocompatibility using osteoblast ‐ like MG‐63 cells, showed adequate viability, cell adhesion, osteoinductive potential. The upregulated expressions of osteogenic and chondrogenic genes OCN, ALP, COL1A1, ACAN, SOX9 and COL2A1 promotes mineralization and ECM formation. These findings suggest that the composite scaffold HA‐GO‐F‐nHAP exhibits promising potential for osteochondral repair.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.